Tag Archives: The Funk Brothers

Smokey Robinson& The Miracles: One Dozen Roses

Leave a comment

On August 27, 1971, “Tamla” label released “One Dozen Roses”, the eleventh Smokey Robinson & The Miracles album. It was recorded in 1966, 1969 – 1971, and was produced by Smokey Robinson and Henry Cosby.

Personnel:

  • Smokey Robinson – lead vocals
  • Marv Tarplin – guitar
  • Ronnie White, Bobby Rogers, Warren “Pete” Moore, Claudette Robinson – backing vocals
  • The Funk Brothers – instrumentation

Track listing:

  1. When Sundown Comes – Smokey Robinson, Marv Tarplin
  2. No Wonder Love’s a Wonder – Smokey Robinson, Marv Tarplin, Al Cleveland
  3. The Tears of a Clown – Smokey Robinson, Hank Cosby, Stevie Wonder
  4. Satisfaction – Smokey Robinson
  5. Crazy About The La La La – Smokey Robinson
  6. Cecilia – Paul Simon
  7. I Don’t Blame You at All – Smokey Robinson
  8. That Girl – Joe Hinton, Hank Cosby, Candice Ghant
  9. Faces – Jack Goga
  10. I Love You Dear – Clay McMurray, John Glover, Pam Sawyer
  11. Oh Baby Baby I Love You – Smokey Robinson, Al Cleveland, Obie Benson
  12. The Hunter Gets Captured by the Game – Smokey Robinson

Stevie Wonder: Up-Tight

Leave a comment

On May 4, 1966, “Motown” label released “Up-Tight”, the fifth Stevie Wonder album. It was recorded 1962 – 1966, at “Hitsville U.S.A.” in Detroit, Michigan, and was produced by Henry Cosby, Willam “Mickey” Stevenson, Clarence Paul, Brian Holland and Lamont Dozier.

Personnel:

  • Stevie Wonder – lead and harmony vocals, harmonica, keyboards, percussion
  • Clarence Paul – co-lead vocals
  • Levi Stubbs – co-lead vocals
  • Abdul “Duke” Fakir, Lawrence Payton, Renaldo “Obie” Benson – backing vocals
  • The Andantes – backing vocals
  • Pat Lewis – backing vocals
  • The Originals – backing vocals
  • The Temptations – backing vocals
  • The Funk Brothers – instrumentation
  • Detroit Symphony Orchestra – instrumentation

Track listing:

  1. Love a Go Go – Beth Beatty, Ernie Shelby
  2. Hold Me – Morris Broadnax, Clarence Paul, Stevie Wonder
  3. Blowin’ in the Wind – Bob Dylan
  4. Nothing’s Too Good for My Baby – Henry Cosby, Sylvia Moy, William Stevenson
  5. Teach Me Tonight – Sammy Cahn, Gene De Paul
  6. Uptight (Everything’s Alright) – Stevie Wonder (as Stevie Judkins), Sylvia Moy, Henry Cosby
  7. Ain’t That Asking for Trouble – Sylvia Moy, Gene De Paul, Stevie Wonder
  8. I Want My Baby Back – Harvey Fuqua, Cornelius Grant, Eddie Kendricks, Norman Whitfield
  9. Pretty Little Angel – Gene De Paul, Mike Valvano, Stevie Wonder
  10. Music Talk – Ted Hull, Gene De Paul, Stevie Wonder
  11. Contract on Love – Janie Bradford, Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland
  12. With a Child’s Heart – Vicki Basemore, Henry Cosby, Sylvia Moy

Miracles: The Fabolous Miracles

Leave a comment

On February 28, 1963, “Tamla” label released “The Fabulous Miracles”, the fourth Miracles (The) studio album. It was recorded in 1962, at “Hitsville USA” in Detroit, and was produced by Smokey Robinson and Berry Gordy Jr.

Personnel:

  • Smokey Robinson – lead vocals, executive producer
  • Ronnie White – backing vocals
  • Bobby Rogers – backing vocals
  • Warren “Pete” Moore – backing vocals
  • Claudette Robinson – backing vocals
  • Marv Tarplin – guitar
  • The Funk Brothers – instrumentation

Track listing:

All tracks by Smokey Robinson, except where noted.

  1. You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me
  2. I’ve Been Good to You
  3. Such Is Love, Such Is Life
  4. I Can Take a Hint – Smokey Robinson, Janie Bradford, Stanley Ossman, Bobby Rogers
  5. Won’t You Take Me Back
  6. A Love She Can Count On
  7. Whatever Makes You Happy – Smokey Robinson, Ronald White
  8. Heartbreak Road – Smokey Robinson, Ronald White
  9. Happy Landing – Smokey Robinson, Ronald White
  10. Your Love

Four Tops: Same

Leave a comment

On January 21, 1965, “Motown” label released self-titled, debut Four Tops studio album. It was recorded in 1964, and was produced by Brian Holland and Lamont Dozier.

Personnel:

  • Levi Stubbs – baritone, lead vocals and backing vocals
  • Abdul Fakir – first tenor, backing vocals
  • Renaldo Benson – bass, backing vocals
  • Lawrence Payton – second tenor, backing vocals
  • The Andantes – backing vocals
  • The Funk Brothers – instrumentation

Track listing:

  1. Baby I Need Your Loving – Holland–Dozier–Holland
  2. Without the One You Love (Life’s Not Worth While) – Holland–Dozier–Holland
  3. Where Did You Go? – Holland–Dozier–Holland
  4. Ask the Lonely – William “Mickey” Stevenson
  5. Your Love Is Amazing – Holland–Dozier–Holland
  6. Sad Souvenirs – Ivy Jo Hunter, William “Mickey” Stevenson
  7. Don’t Turn Away – Ivy Jo Hunter, William “Mickey” Stevenson
  8. Tea House in China Town – Jo Hunter, William “Mickey” Stevenson
  9. Left With a Broken Heart – Marv Johnson
  10. Love Has Gone – Holland–Dozier–Holland
  11. Call on Me – Holland–Dozier–Holland

Tammi Terrell: Irresistible

Leave a comment

In January 1969, “Motown” label released “Irresistible”, the only Tammi Terrell album, It was recorded 1965 – 1968, and was produced by Smokey Robinson, Johnny Bristol, Harvey Fugua, James Dean and William Weatherspoon.

Personnel:

  • Tammi Terrell – lead and additional backing vocals
  • The Andantes, The Spinners – backing vocals
  • The Funk Brothers – instrumentation

Track listing:

  1. I Can’t Believe You Love Me – Harvey Fuqua, Johnny Bristol
  2. That’s What Boys Are Made For – Harvey Fuqua, Gwen Gordy Fuqua
  3. Come On and See Me – Harvey Fuqua, Johnny Bristol
  4. What a Good Man He Is – Smokey Robinson, Al Cleveland
  5. Tears at the End of a Love Affair – Harvey Fuqua, Johnny Bristol, Sylvia Moy
  6. This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You) – Holland–Dozier–Holland, Sylvia Moy
  7. He’s the One I Love – Smokey Robinson
  8. Can’t Stop Now (Love Is Calling) – James Dean, Stanley McMullen, William Weatherspoon
  9. Just Too Much to Hope For – Harvey Fuqua, Johnny Bristol, Clyde Wilson, Wilbur Jackson
  10. Hold Me Oh My Darling – Harvey Fuqua
  11. I Can’t Go on Without You – Harvey Fuqua, Johnny Bristol, Sylvia Moy

The Miracles: Hi…We’re The Miracles

Leave a comment

In January 1961, “Tamla” label released “Hi… We’re the Miracles”, the debut Miracles (The) studio album. It was recorded in 1960, and was produced by Berry Gordy Jr.

Personnel:

  • Smokey Robinson – lead and backing vocals
  • Ronnie White – lead and backing vocals
  • Claudette Robinson – lead and backing vocals
  • Warren “Pete” Moore – backing vocals
  • Bobby Rogers – backing vocals
  • Marv Tarplin – guitar
  • The Funk Brothers – additional instrumentation
  • Wakefield & Mitchell – design
  • Pictorial Studios Inc. – photography

Track listing:

  1. Who’s Lovin’ You – Smokey Robinson
  2. Depend on Me – Smokey Robinson, Berry Gordy
  3. Heart Like Mine – Ronnie White, Smokey Robinson
  4. Shop Around – Smokey Robinson, Berry Gordy
  5. Won’t You Take Me Back – Smokey Robinson, Berry Gordy
  6. Cause I Love You – Ronnie White, Smokey Robinson
  7. Your Love – Smokey Robinson
  8. After All – Smokey Robinson
  9. Way Over There – Smokey Robinson, Berry Gordy
  10. Money – Berry Gordy, Janie Bradford
  11. Don’t Leave Me – Smokey Robinson, Berry Gordy, Brian Holland, Robert Bateman

The Supremes & The Four Tops: Dynamite

Leave a comment

In December 1971, “Motown” label released “Dynamite”, the third and last album between Supremes (The) and Four Tops (The). It was recorded in 1971, and was produced by Johnny Bristol, Joe Hinton, Bobby Taylor and Frank Wilson.

Personnel:

  • The Supremes – Jean Terrell, Mary Wilson, Cindy Birdsong – vocals 
  • The Four Tops – Levi Stubbs, Duke Fakir, Obie Benson, Lawrence Payton – vocals
  • The Funk Brothers – instrumentation
  • David Van DePitte, Gene Page, H.B. Barnum, Robert White – arrangements
  • Curtis McNair – art direction
  • Warren Linn – illustration
  • Tom Schlesinger – graphics

Track listing:

  1. It’s Impossible – Armando Manzanero, Sid Wayne
  2. The Bigger You Love (The Harder You Fall) – Jerry Marcellino, Mel Larson
  3. Hello Stranger – Barbara Lewis
  4. Love the One You’re With – Stephen Stills
  5. Good Lovin’ Ain’t Easy to Come By – Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
  6. Melodie – Deke Richards, Jerry Marcellino, Mel Larson
  7. If – David Gates
  8. If I Could Build My Whole World Around You – Harvey Fuqua, Johnny Bristol, Vernon Bullock
  9. Don’t Let Me Lose This Dream – Aretha Franklin, Ted White
  10. Do You Love Me Just a Little, Honey – Gladys Knight, Harvey Fuqua, Johnny Bristol, Vernon Bullock

Stevie Wonder: Eivets Rednow

Leave a comment

On November 20, 1968, “Gordy” label released “Eivets Rednow”, the ninth Stevie Wonder album (Eivets Rednow is Stevie Wonder spelled backwards, Wonder’s name does not appear on the cover of the original releases). It was recorded 1967 – 1968, at “Hitsville USA” in Detroit, Michigan, and was produced by Henry Cosby.

Personnel:

  • Stevie Wonder – harmonica, piano, clavinet, drums, percussion
  • James Jamerson – bass guitar
  • Benny Benjamin – drums
  • The Funk Brothers – instrumentation

Track listing:

  1. Alfie – Burt Bacharach, Hal David
  2. More than a Dream – Henry Cosby, Stevie Wonder
  3. A House Is Not a Home – Burt Bacharach, Hal David
  4. How Can You Believe – Stevie Wonder
  5. Medley: Never My Love/Ask the Lonely – Don Addrisi, Dick Addrisi/Ivy Jo Hunter, William “Mickey” Stevenson
  6. Ruby – Mitchell Parish, Heinz Roemheld
  7. Which Way the Wind – Stevie Wonder
  8. Bye Bye World – Stevie Wonder
  9. Grazin’ in the Grass – Philemon Hou

Stevie Wonder: Down To Earth

Leave a comment

On November 16, 1966, “Tamla Motown” label released “Down to Earth”, the sixth Stevie Wonder studio album. It was recorded 1965 – 1966, at “Hitsville USA” in Detroit, and was produced by Clarence Paul and Henry Cosby.

Personnel:

  • Stevie Wonder – vocals, harmonica, keyboards, drums, percussion
  • The Originals – backing vocals
  • The Andantes – backing vocals
  • James Jamerson – bass guitar
  • Benny Benjamin – drums
  • The Funk Brothers – instrumentation

Track listing:

  1. A Place in the Sun – Ron Miller, Bryan Wells
  2. Bang Bang – Sonny Bono
  3. Down to Earth – Ron Miller, Avery Vanderberg
  4. Thank You Love – Henry Cosby, Sylvia Moy, Stevie Wonder
  5. Be Cool, Be Calm (And Keep Yourself Together) – Henry Cosby, Sylvia Moy, Stevie Wonder
  6. Sylvia – Henry Cosby, Sylvia Moy, Stevie Wonder
  7. My World Is Empty Without You – Holland-Dozier-Holland
  8. The Lonesome Road – Gene Austin, Nat Shilkret
  9. Angel Baby (Don’t You Ever Leave Me) – Henry Cosby, Sylvia Moy
  10. Mr. Tambourine Man – Bob Dylan
  11. Sixteen Tons – Merle Travis
  12. Hey Love – Morris Broadnax, Clarence Paul, Stevie Wonder